University of Montevallo history

In October of 1896, the Alabama Girls’ Industrial School opened its doors to some 150 young women from all parts of the state.

In 1911 AGIS became Alabama Girls’ Technical Institute.

In 1919, the young women of the Alabama Girls’ Technical Institute and College for Women held a competition between the Junior and Senior classes.

In 1921, only two years after its conception, the two “sides” of College Night—Purple and Gold—were formed to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary, as a reflection of the school’s colors.

In 1923, the school became Alabama College, State College for Women, a degree-granting institution.

The 30s proved to be an era of change for the tradition–in 1929, sports were added for the first time (the young ladies played Field Hockey), and the idea of holding the performances Thursday-Saturday was introduced, replacing the original format of the shows being held for a singular night only.

In 1930, the performances were held in the newly built Palmer Hall, where they continue to be held today.

As the tradition continued, the Production Books slowly lengthened—as early as 1943, it was standard to include all the music and scripts of the years’ works, as well as costume and stage designs.

Two men enrolled in January of 1956, and with 33 more arriving by September, a new era had begun for the school.

With the introduction of men into the college in 1958, the sports became a scored component rather than just athletic competitions between the two sides, contributing to the overall score of the sides.

Prior to 1960, the Production Books were not scored sections.

On September 1, 1969, Alabama College was renamed the University of Montevallo.

The Alabama Girls' Industrial School was listed on the National Register in 1978.